| Reviews
Have the ‘Children Of Abraham’ Finally Grown Up?
by Mike Kesselring
- Artillery Tanks stop moving.
- Assault Rifles won’t fire.
- Missiles and Suicide Bombs turn to powder.
- The President declares God exists.
- Religious Leaders debate then come together to accept the inevitable.
- Jews, Protestants, Muslims and Catholics embrace one another.
- Peace Rallies really bring peace.
- Palestinian children put flowers on Jewish graves.
- The World Shifts its consciousness and hatred fades away.
Are these events the product of an anti-war activist’s perfect dream?
Or,
Have my prayers for world peace and God’s return finally been answered?
What a wonderful dream for anyone to have. What a miracle it would be if my prayers for world peace were answered. But, alas, it is not to be. At least, not in the world I know today. Fortunately, writer R. H. Martin has created a place where this wonder of wonders comes true.
- My Children, please give me your attention. - God
In his virgin voyage onto the literary scene, Martin has answered several questions I have often pondered.
“If unexplained messages from God appeared on TV and in newspapers…
…What would the world do?”
…What would governments have to say?”
…Would religious leaders know how to act?”
…How would people react?”
…What would I do?”
I have given you free will. Use it to make choices for the good of all. - God
In “Children of Abraham” Martin used his knowledge and experience as a lawyer, counselor and therapist to create characters that are easy to relate to and understand. He convinced me that his characters could be my neighbor, a fellow worker, or friends and family I know and love. By showing me the weaknesses of their bodies, the failings of their minds and the frailties of their spirits, I now know what to expect when God really sends His messages.
- Love one another. Work together. Your nature is to be interdependent. - God
His authentic characters are second only to his realistic snapped-from-life vignettes and his believable scenarios of cascading world events as everything is turned upside down. I am confident that Martin’s illustrations of what could happen will most likely happen when God finally talks to us en masse.
- Your actions have consequences in this world and the next. - God
Martin’s clever use of quotes from God at the beginning of each chapter supports the message to follow. His insights into human behavior, his discernment of mankind’s condition, and his profound dialogue delving into the depths of religion, faith and unbelief are born of his own observations and ponderings about the world and its religions. His own wisdom is reflected in the thoughtful words of his faith filled characters. R.H. Martin is an author right up my theosophical alley.
The answer is simple. I am that I am. - God
I’m hoping that Martin’s speculations of how the world and its children would react to messages from God is a work of prophecy, rather than fiction. Either way, I’m a believer.
Of course you are baffled. I understand. - God
Martin’s “Children of Abraham” asks of its readers the same as does God when He says, “My Children, please give me your attention.” Give this book your undivided attention. I did and it paid off.
I wouldn’t be surprised if there's a movie in this book. Tickets anyone?
Children of Abraham, by R.H. Martin, 2008, Xlibris, 364 pages, $29.99
Tammy Hall Shropshire
In his debut novel, Children of Abraham, R.H. Martin has taken a bold step. Rather than flinching from a “touchy” topic and sensitive current events, he plunges into them with glee.
When the worldwide media begins to receive messages signed by God, a backlash of debate arises between the major religions of the world. On a more personal level, this powerful novel’s characters must decide what they believe, and if they are worthy of, or willing to accept redemption.
Within a few pages, both human drama, and the novel’s biggest mystery, as well as the cast of multi-faceted characters Martin has created will hook readers. From Al-Khalil, a Palestinian suicide bomber, Louie the Cop, a world-weary police officer, to Tomas Medina, a highly successful attorney, and his wife Claire; they are a reader’s treat. With their flaws, dark secrets, and redeeming qualities, they represent a snapshot of humanity at its best and its worst, and hold interest in this fast-paced, intriguing novel.
Cleverly giving life to the Seven Deadly Sins by weaving them into the personalities of his characters, Martin welcomes his readers into the depths of their personal lives. This inspired tactic serves to make their struggles ring of genuine moral conflict.
Children of Abraham is at the same time, a mystery, a thriller, and a theological examination. The storyline is sure to enthrall readers who enjoyed the suspense of “The DaVinci Code”, and the soul-searching message of “A Purpose Driven Life”. With this stunning debut, R.H. Martin has made a place for himself among some of the greatest novelists of our time, and has proven himself a literary force to be reckoned with.
Children of Abraham is available at the May Memorial Library.
Spinning a Tale of Intrigue and Awe
By Jean Bailey Robor
What would happen if God made his presence known? That question is the basis for an exciting new novel, Children of Abraham.
The author is R.H. Martin, a name you’ll want to remember. As he weaves a fast-paced tale, Martin takes the question of redemption and fine-tunes it to sensational perfection. Not since the advent of the controversial novel, The Da Vinci Code and the Left Behind series has an author so obviously delighted in leading readers on a quest of intrigue and awe.
Martin introduces several imperfect characters who are grappling with the seven deadly sins. From an envious policeman to a greedy CEO to a congressman with a dark addiction, Martin sets the stage to pique the reader’s interest as ‘God messages’ begin to mysteriously appear in the media and create turmoil all over the world.
Near the beginning of the book, Al-Khalil, a young Palestinian loses his widowed mother in a missile strike while Louie the Cop struggles with being passed over for promotion time and again. Readers will be drawn into the story and may find themselves identifying with some unlikely characters.
The first ‘God message’ that appears has a simple request: My children, please give me your attention—God. Speculation almost immediately suggests there has to be a concrete factual reason for these messages. Perhaps a computer hacker? Others want to believe the messages truly are from God Himself. As more and more messages are revealed, no one can deny the effects they have, not only on individuals, but on the world.
The book moves at a rapid pace, with the author clearly enjoying his contrivances. Each chapter spurs the reader on to the next one. As Rick Warren’s The Purpose-Driven Life challenges readers to find their life’s purpose, Martin’s Children of Abraham reveals the challenges his characters face in finding purpose in their own lives.
Children of Abraham is this year’s must-read with enough convincing twists to keep the reader turning page after page. It grabs your imagination and takes you through the lives of each character and their own personal struggles of lust, greed, envy and pride. Martin has incorporated just enough interest and intrigue—and then some—to raise his book head-and-shoulders above similar books in this genre. It grabs hold of one’s imagination and holds it until the final page, evoking us to re-think our own perception of God and question what would we do if God made His presence a matter of fact rather than faith.
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